Apple announced the next version of iBooks software at the iPad mini event earlier today, and version 3.0 has now gone live in the App Store. This major update to iBooks brings multiple enhancements, including continuos page scrolling, iCloud support, and integration with iOS 6’s sharing options. Publishers can now push out over-the-air updates for books purchased in the iBookstore as well.

Introducing iBooks 3

• See all your iBookstore purchases in iCloud—right on your bookshelf with iOS 6• Scroll vertically through your books with the flick of a finger using the new Scroll theme• Receive free updates to purchased books—including new chapters, corrections, and other improvements• Look up definitions for words in German, Spanish, French, Japanese and Simplified Chinese with iOS 6• Share quotes or thoughts about your favorite book with friends on Facebook, Twitter, Messages, or Mail

Apple has introduced a new scrolling theme that allows you to flip through your book pages vertically rather than from left to right. The two biggest updates in the app are related to iCloud. Like iTunes, you can now view all of your purchases in-app and download select items to be stored locally on your iOS device. Like an over-the-air iOS update, authors can push out corrections and updates to their books with ease.

No more flipping from horizontally with the new vertical scrolling in iBooks.

The sharing options in iOS 6 are present and allow you to post a quote from a book on Twitter or Facebook. 40 new languages and enhanced dictionary support has also been added.

Unfortunately, I’d still say my Kindle app has the edge over iBooks (I use both). The ability to sync where you are in the book last time you read it on say, your iPad so that it takes you to the correct page when you resume reading on your iPhone is awesome. I use that feature all the time and iBooks still doesn’t have it. I like the enhancements but I’m disappointed that particular feature hasn’t been included.

JohnWilson

Unfortunately, I’d still say my Kindle app has the edge over iBooks (I use both). The ability to sync where you are in the book last time you read it on say, your iPad so that it takes you to the correct page when you resume reading on your iPhone is awesome. I use that feature all the time and iBooks still doesn’t have it. I like the enhancements but I’m disappointed that particular feature hasn’t been included.

I’m pretty sure it does have it. It’s a bookmark, and now that iCloud is being used for syncing it should sync those bookmarks.

About the author

Alex Heath is a journalist and co-host of The CultCast who lives in Lexington, Kentucky . He has been quoted by the likes of the BBC, KRON 4 News, and books like "ICONIC: A Photographic Tribute to Apple Innovation." If you want to pitch a story, share a tip, or just get in touch, additional contact information is available on his personal site. Twitter always works too.

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